Strange Wood Snow

I first encountered this book two years ago. After a period of internet disconnection, I saw it again when it was already finished. Since it was finished, I figured I might as well buy the whole thing. I'd previously read some books by this author that I enjoyed, and they had a different feel from other online novels. I don't know if there's a word to describe it, but it's probably a serene feeling. After all, my Chinese isn't great, and I feel most online novels these days are just feel-good stories. While I don't read them all the time, I'll glance at them at first glance, but I lack the motivation to follow them. Thinking about it, I've only followed a handful of books on my bookshelf for several years, and some of them are already finished...

To get straight to the point, I was originally going to give it a 9 out of 10. The writing style and character development are definitely worth that score for a book like "Pineapple Bun," with the remaining 1 point for room for improvement (relative to the ceiling of the SF genre). However, since it's rare to find a book that suits my taste, I shouldn't be too rational and just give it a 10. I rarely write book reviews, partly because I'm lazy, and partly because many books are difficult to understand after just a quick read, not worth writing about. I clicked on this book because of the cover, and decided to read a couple of chapters because of the title. This cover and title are quite unique in the SF atmosphere, and most books that stand out in SF have a basis in reality...

I'm so glad I found such a wonderful book, giving me something to look forward to during my boring days. In my opinion, many so-called romances in harem stories are baffling; some absurd plots unfold, some melodramatic fantasies are given, and then the female characters inexplicably become devoted to each other (yes, harem protagonists basically don't initiate normal interactions with anyone). I still remember Zhuge Qing's words in *Under One Person* when he pulled a sorcerer, immersed in his fantasy of an overpowered protagonist, back to reality: "Everything is so illogical." It's not that I despise all harem novels, but I feel that if I indulge in the fantasy of having beautiful women coming to my door for too long, I might forget...

"Let me tell you a story first?" Duan Tan felt a sudden surge of nervousness. He'd lived two lives, nearly forty years old combined, yet this was his first time. But he couldn't escape. The wedding ceremony had already taken place, the nuptial wine had been drunk; if he ran away now, the guys eavesdropping outside would laugh at him for the rest of his life. Thinking this, he angrily grabbed a pillow and slammed it against the wooden door adorned with auspicious stickers. Like a pebble thrown into water, hurried footsteps echoed outside, fading into the distance. Yun Yue, sitting beside him, smiled. It was hard to imagine that a woman's wedding was more relaxed than a man's. Perhaps this was Duan Tan's...

Living in this world, we are troubled by countless things. Everyone has their own past, everyone has aspects that others don't understand, and everyone will eventually die. Yet, some people only feel loneliness and despair—despair for life. As my title suggests, this book tells another story, another true story, about loneliness and redemption. Everyone experiences despair, and in that moment, either death or eventual redemption leads to a sense of belonging and salvation. Redemption is never one-sided; those who redeem others also rely on the feeling of redeeming others, thus redeeming themselves. In short, people...

A very gentle story that tells me that reality is neither beautiful nor ugly; it is simply there, unchanging.

In a world dominated by systems, rebirth, time travel, and harems, this book is truly unique. It offers a different kind of experience, evoking many insights and feelings. It's an excellent book; if you're tired of the usual tropes, give it a try. On my bookshelf, this book is similar to "I'm Really Not a Grim Reaper"—it stands out here with its own style. Both books are a breath of fresh air, defying the crowd and forging their own path.

It's clear the author intended to write a good novel; the plot and detailed descriptions are meticulously crafted. However, the shortcomings are still quite obvious. While the depiction of everyday life is excellent, the fantastical aspect of the "Tao" lacks imagination. It's as if "cultivation" has been stripped of its "cultivation," leaving only the "Tao," omitting the process and focusing solely on the result. The process of cultivation is not described. Secondly, the author's writing skills are insufficient; the plot develops too quickly, and the volume is too short. Many processes, including the reasoning, are glossed over, almost entirely omitted, leaving the reader confused and unsatisfied. Finally, the male protagonist's personality is also not well-defined...

Two years later, I'm rewatching it again.

I wish this book could be published in physical form; just imagining turning the pages is so captivating.